The 10 Best Anime Where The MC Leaves/Betrays Their Friends

Betrayal is terrible, especially when it comes from someone you thought was a friend.

Unfortunately, this kind of situation is often portrayed in anime, leading to intriguing plot developments and surprising twists.

One of the best examples is Sasuke from the first series of Naruto, who at the end of the first series turns against his friends to seek revenge.

Without further ado, let’s explore some of the best anime where a main character betrays their friends.

10. Arifureta – From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Nagumo Hajime

Arifureta is a 13-episode anime released in 2019 that will keep you entertained throughout.

A group of high school students are transported to a parallel world where they are expected to be heroes and save it from destruction.

But while all the students have exceptional skills, Nagumo Hajime is the exception, as he is weak and has low stats.

After being betrayed and abandoned by his companions into a seemingly bottomless dungeon, Nagumo meets a blonde vampire and things start to change.

Instead of focusing on typical fantasy elements such as fighting and saving kingdoms, Arifureta delves into the realms of psychology and romance, making it a unique and captivating isekai experience.

9. The Promised Neverland – Norman

The setup of this anime is both simple and frightening. Humans and demons ended a long war by reaching an agreement known as The Promise.

Under this agreement, humans and demons will not invade each other’s worlds, but demons will be supplied with human flesh as their food source.

That’s why kids are bred in fake orphanages and raised until they are adopted and eventually fed to high-ranking demons.

The story is told from the perspective of three genius MCs children living in one of these orphanages, Emma, Ray, and Norman, as they plan their escape.

But just when they seem to have made it, a surprising twist occurs: Norman sacrifices himself so that his friends can escape, leaving them on their own.

While The Promised Neverland has a great premise, its quality highly decreases as the series goes on. The first season is well-written and good, but the quality drops significantly in the second season.

8. Kaze no Stigma – Kazuma Kannagi 

Kaze no Stigma is an action-packed anime with a mix of magic and ecchi elements. It was released in 2007 with 24 episodes, but unfortunately, it did not receive much attention.

The story revolves around Kazuma Kannagi, who lost a duel against his cousin Ayano to become the successor of the sacred sword Enraiha.

Humiliated, Kazuma disappeared, leaving his family and friends behind.

Four years later, he returned to Japan with a new name, Kazuma Yagami, and the ability to control the wind. However, a complex web of mysteries awaits him.

Although the anime has a cool plot, it becomes predictable as the story progresses. Despite this, it can still be enjoyable if you don’t have high expectations.

7. Tower of God – Twenty-Fifth Bam

Tower of God is the most popular shonen manhwa that received an anime adaptation in 2020, with only one season released to date.

The story centers around the Tower of God, a structure that promises fame, power, and wealth to those who can climb it and successfully navigate its trials.

Bam, the protagonist, sets out on a journey to reach the top of the tower after his friend Rachel decides to climb it, leaving him behind.

However, when Bam finally reunites with Rachel at the end of the first season, she betrays him, pushing him off the tower and separating him from his friends.

And this event, which occurs in the final episode of the first season, has solidified Rachel as one of the most hated characters in anime history.

6. One Piece – Usopp

One Piece, the most famous pirate story ever, is also one of the best-selling manga series of all time.

It’s a shonen masterpiece known by all anime fans, and its worldbuilding is rich and detailed, with a variety of islands, continents, and seas to explore.

Following the journey of Luffy and his crew on their adventures is an epic experience, and the series continues to captivate fans with its many twists and turns.

One of the most memorable plot twists is when Usopp decides to leave the crew, causing a shockwave among fans.

Fortunately, he will soon change his mind and return to the adventures of anime’s most famous crew, but the shock of those moments will never be forgotten.

5. Seraph of the End – Yuichiro Hyakuya

Seraph of the End is an anime set in a world where a deadly virus has wiped out all humans over the age of 13.

The survivors are then enslaved by a race of vampires who claim to protect them in exchange for blood. This leads to a world of terror and oppression.

Yuichiro and Mikaela Hyakuya are two orphans who attempt to escape the orphanage but their plan fails and they are caught by the enemies. That’s why Yuichiro is forced to abandon Mikaela and his friends in order to save himself.

Many years later, the boy has become a member of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, determined to take revenge on the vampires for killing his family.

This is just the beginning of a plot filled with action, mystery, and much more.

The real strength of Seraph of the End is its unique combination of a post-apocalyptic scenario and a story of rebellion and revenge with 2 cool male MCs.

4. Blast of Tempest – Mahiro Fuwa

Blast of Tempest is a 2012 anime consisting of 24 episodes. It’s a mysterious and fantastical series with a lot of Shakespearean quotes that fans of the great poet will surely appreciate.

The show follows two friends, Yoshino Takigawa and Mahiro Fuwa, as they work together to find the unknown murderer responsible for the death of Mahiro’s sister, Aika.

This anime offers a fresh take on the classic story of a determined investigator, and it seamlessly blends supernatural elements into the plot with Mahiro being an evil and ruthless MC.

The scene where Mahiro discovers Aika’s death is emotional and full of heartache, leading him to make the tough decision to leave his friends and seek revenge with the help of Hakaze’s magic, becoming his apprentice.

3. Tokyo Ghoul – Ken Kaneki

Tokyo Ghoul is a widely discussed anime that has been making headlines for its fluctuating animated adaptation.

The story focuses on Ken Kaneki, an ordinary college student who lives in a town plagued by strange and violent murders.

The agents suspect that the deaths are caused by Ghouls, mysterious creatures that feed on the bodies of their victims, but nobody has seen them yet.

It’s worth noting that the animated adaptation of Tokyo Ghoul may not be faithful to the original manga, so we highly recommend that you read the manga if you have the means to do so.

But aside from that, one of the most iconic moments in the series is when Kaneki decides to leave his friends and join the enemy group, marking a major turning point in his character development.

This is a surprising twist that no one could have predicted.

2. Attack on Titan – Eren Yaeger

Attack on Titan is a highly popular work that gained recognition also due to its fantastic anime adaptation.

In an alternate world, humanity faces the threat of giants, huge humanoid creatures that feed on people. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin are three friends who must learn to fight the giants and seek revenge on them.

Attack on Titan is a must-watch for fans of action and drama genres, with a compelling storyline filled with twists and thrilling action scenes. The animation and music add to the overall experience, making it a standout show.

And one of the standout features of the series is the perfect character development of Eren.

You’ll see him as he transforms from a timid boy to a ruthless warrior, progressively distancing himself from his companions and taking a dark path.

1. Naruto Series – Sasuke Uchiha

Naruto is a well-known and beloved anime series that features the most memorable anime betrayal of all time in our opinion.

The story follows the journey of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki, who is burdened with the label of being the host of the Nine-tailed Fox, the cause of destruction in his village years ago.

As a result, he is treated with disdain and rejection by the villagers, making his past dark and difficult. Naruto’s goal is to become the Hokage, the leader of the village, and earn the respect of everyone.

The iconic betrayal in the series comes from Sasuke, the deuteragonist.

After an intense battle between Naruto and Sasuke at the end of the first series, Sasuke makes the shocking decision to join the evil ninja Orochimaru for personal revenge.

It is still a memorable and unforgettable moment in the series even today, that will always shock any viewer.